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BMW M3Model year report

2010 BMW M3 Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
56,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 BMW M3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW M3. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (53% of the total), followed by engine (4) and brakes (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 132 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall. I don't want to die by exploding airbag please let me know when parts are available my Bmw dealer will not give me any information regarding a fix date. I would like information or get on a list for my dealer to get a repair part.”

NHTSA complaint #10903150, filed 2016-09, 37,000 miles

Engine: “Rod bearings failed due to a manufacturer defect. Many Bmw M3's suffer this issue because if the tightness of the engine which leads to oil starvation and metal shavings begin to destroy the engine. The vehicle was in motion, after sitting for a few hours, I start the car to discover a ticking noise in the engine. Upon checking the oil, I have found metal shavings in the oil.”

NHTSA complaint #11002582, filed 2017-06, 63,000 miles

Brakes: “Parked on a slight hill, shifted out of drive and applied the ebrake by pulling up firmly. Unbucked my seat belt, opened the door, and got out of the vehicle. Left the door open to go in my house, grab my wallet, and come back. The car stayed in neutral instead of shifting into park which should have happened but multiple components of the car failed to detect me exiting (door latch sendor, software, seat sensor, seat belt sensor). Leaving the car in neutral meant the parking brake was all that was available to hold the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #11533410, filed 2023-07

Transmission and drivetrain: “Loud knocking noise and a ticking noise that whined up when accelerated and slowly whined down when the accelerator is released. It appears to be bad rod bearing and it occurred within an hour of an oil change at the dealership. According to online forums this is not an uncommon occurrence.”

NHTSA complaint #10852103, filed 2016-03, 58,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,000 and 63,000 miles.

0%0–1017%10–2517%25–5067%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 56,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20122016820172023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 BMW M3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
M3 RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual142016$5,150
M3 RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150
M3 Convertible RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150
M3 Convertible RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual132016$5,150
M3 Coupe RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual142016$5,150
M3 Coupe RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 BMW M3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 132 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 132 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW M3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2018910,7500—20—Not enough data
2016520,0003—20—Not enough data
20131324,0002—16—Not enough data
2012624,6003—16—Not enough data
20113143,3004—160 · FewerFalling
20101556,0004—16—Rising
2009454,0005—1650 · TypicalFalling
20088215,0005—1660 · TypicalRising
20061475,0005—17—Not enough data
20051285,0003—17—Not enough data
20043177,9943—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20035470,7505—17Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20024077,5005—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20011454,0004—17—Not enough data
19991161,8001—20—Not enough data
19981471,5001—21—Not enough data
199719—2—21—Stable
19951244,4224—20—Not enough data

All BMW M3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW M3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 BMW M3 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (53% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2010 BMW M3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 BMW M3 (M3, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 BMW M3 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,000 miles and the middle half falls between 37,000 and 63,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.